Forest Grove middle school will move ahead with schedule change

FOREST GROVE -- Neil Armstrong Middle School will move forward with its plan to lengthen classes by reducing the number of required classes in a school day.

The school will send letters to parents near the end of July that will offer students the chance to reconfigure their schedules now that the plans have been further discussed.

When the proposal to reduce the day's classes from seven to six was announced, parents expressed concern that it would limit electives. School officials added a seventh-period class to the new schedule, which is optional and shorter than other classes. The district also held two community forums last week to address concerns.

School officials presented the schedule to the Forest Grove School Board at its regular meeting Monday night. The board discussed the plan and heard testimony from parents and administrators. No board members objected to the plan.

Administrators painted the plan as part of their greater mission to enhance learning, engagement and involvement at the school.

The new schedule aims to prepare middle schoolers for the rigors of Forest Grove High School.

"We thought, 'What can we do to create the best environment for our students?'," Neil Armstrong principal Mario Alba told parents at the meeting. "And I believe this is it."

Superintendent Jack Musser said the schedule might bring about a necessary "cultural change" to the school.

"For a long time we've been doing the same thing at Neil Armstrong and not getting results," Musser said.

Many parents at the meeting still had concerns about the new schedule.

Parent Steve Jerrett said there might not be enough room in the seventh-period classes to fit all students who might choose to take them.

The classes can hold about 150 students, administrators said, but adjustments can be made if the demand is greater.

One parent said the seventh period won't provide enough time for language classes.

Parent Holly Divelbess said administrators should have included parents during the three-year discussion about a new schedule.

"We found out about it when it was already a done deal," Divelbess said.

Divelbess said she would seek to represent parents on the school's site council to increase community involvement.

Administrators said they would study and tweak the new schedule after it's implemented and communicate better with parents. Alba said the school would mail monthly newsletters and update its Web site more frequently to keep parents informed.

Board chairwoman Dawn Pratt said she had concerns about the new schedule but supported the change.

"I have to leave my trust in that (administrators) have listened to these concerns and will try to make this school the best it can be," Pratt said.